For Immediate Release
October 6, 2026, Toronto – A new analysis finds that the design of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission’s (CNSC) regulatory process leaves significant public concerns unresolved when major licensing decisions are made and instead defers them to later processes with little or no public participation.
“When the public raises serious concerns about radioactive waste, emergency planning or accident risks, those questions should matter when decisions that create or extend those risks are being made,” said Theresa McClenaghan, Executive Director of the Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA). “This analysis shows that the CNSC’s approach to regulation too often shifts public concerns outside of public scrutiny and influence.”
This week, the CNSC will hold hearings on Ontario Power Generation’s (OPG) application to rebuild four reactors at the Pickering nuclear station. The Pickering B reactors, which sit 30 km from downtown Toronto, were shut down in September because they are too old to continue operating within safety standards.
The report,Acknowledged and Deferred: Intervenor Influence in CNSC Licensing Decisions, examines how public concerns were considered in three significant CNSC licensing decisions involving the Darlington, Pickering and Point Lepreau nuclear stations. It traces concerns raised by civil society intervenors through the hearing process to determine if and how they influenced the Commission’s final decisions.
The analysis finds that core questions related to nuclear risks and safety often remain unresolved when the CNSC makes major licensing decisions. These concerns, which are often raised by the public, are instead deferred and referred to venues where there is less or no opportunity for public scrutiny and input.
“The public shoulders the risk of extending the life of the Pickering nuclear station so should also be allowed to influence decisions about those risks. The CNSC’s current decision-making approach lacks sufficient public accountability and transparency.” said Ms. McClenaghan.
The report provides recommendations on how the CNSC could become more accountable and transparent in its decision-making. It calls on the CNSC not to issue licences while significant safety concerns remain unresolved or, at a minimum, to impose enforceable conditions. It also calls for earlier public participation and explicit explanations of how public concerns influenced licensing decisions.
Jacqueline Wilson, Counsel from CELA is representing Durham Nuclear Awareness, Slovenian Home Association and CELA at the Commission hearing on Wednesday, October 7th.
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For more information, or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Jacqueline Wilson, Counsel, Canadian Environmental Law Association, jacqueline@cela.ca or 647-300-6199.
The full report can be found online here.
Media Release: Public concerns sidelined in nuclear licensing decisions, new report finds
For Immediate Release
October 6, 2026, Toronto – A new analysis finds that the design of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission’s (CNSC) regulatory process leaves significant public concerns unresolved when major licensing decisions are made and instead defers them to later processes with little or no public participation.
“When the public raises serious concerns about radioactive waste, emergency planning or accident risks, those questions should matter when decisions that create or extend those risks are being made,” said Theresa McClenaghan, Executive Director of the Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA). “This analysis shows that the CNSC’s approach to regulation too often shifts public concerns outside of public scrutiny and influence.”
This week, the CNSC will hold hearings on Ontario Power Generation’s (OPG) application to rebuild four reactors at the Pickering nuclear station. The Pickering B reactors, which sit 30 km from downtown Toronto, were shut down in September because they are too old to continue operating within safety standards.
The report,Acknowledged and Deferred: Intervenor Influence in CNSC Licensing Decisions, examines how public concerns were considered in three significant CNSC licensing decisions involving the Darlington, Pickering and Point Lepreau nuclear stations. It traces concerns raised by civil society intervenors through the hearing process to determine if and how they influenced the Commission’s final decisions.
The analysis finds that core questions related to nuclear risks and safety often remain unresolved when the CNSC makes major licensing decisions. These concerns, which are often raised by the public, are instead deferred and referred to venues where there is less or no opportunity for public scrutiny and input.
“The public shoulders the risk of extending the life of the Pickering nuclear station so should also be allowed to influence decisions about those risks. The CNSC’s current decision-making approach lacks sufficient public accountability and transparency.” said Ms. McClenaghan.
The report provides recommendations on how the CNSC could become more accountable and transparent in its decision-making. It calls on the CNSC not to issue licences while significant safety concerns remain unresolved or, at a minimum, to impose enforceable conditions. It also calls for earlier public participation and explicit explanations of how public concerns influenced licensing decisions.
Jacqueline Wilson, Counsel from CELA is representing Durham Nuclear Awareness, Slovenian Home Association and CELA at the Commission hearing on Wednesday, October 7th.
-30-
For more information, or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Jacqueline Wilson, Counsel, Canadian Environmental Law Association, jacqueline@cela.ca or 647-300-6199.
The full report can be found online here.
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